The What, Why, and How of Choice Boards
Even though many have returned to in-person instruction, some virtual learning approaches can and should still be used. For instance, intentional creation of choice boards aligned to state standards is an effective strategy to keep and expand upon. Oftentimes, choice boards can be seen as “fillers” or “busy work,” but the reality is that with thoughtful design, high-quality choice boards can become an integral part of the curriculum.
Using choice boards also supports John Hattie’s meta-analyses in effect sizes, specifically teacher clarity. With an effect size of 0.84, teacher clarity has the potential to considerably accelerate student learning. Teachers demonstrate their clarity through the use of choice boards by intentionally selecting tasks that best align with the standard(s) being taught. Most importantly, choice boards communicate the learning intentions for students, which is part of teacher clarity and student efficacy (0.65 effect size).
An easy way to create choice boards is through Google Slides. There are many tools embedded into Google that provide students with an active learning platform and enable educators to watch students engage in learning while providing them with on-the-spot feedback—another high-effect-size strategy. Teachers can also use Google Slides as a way to document and assess learning, allowing the slide deck to serve as a record of past learning and as a reflection tool for when conferencing with students and/or guardians.
What goes into the thoughtful design of high-quality, standards-aligned choice boards?
Grade-Level Standards Alignment
When designing choice boards, begin with the standards in mind. Think about what the chosen standard(s) require students to know and be able to do. The choice board tasks should culminate in the mastery of those standards’ intentions. Here are some questions centered around grade-level standards alignment that you can ask yourself when designing choice boards:
- Do the tasks meet the demands of the entire standard(s)?
- Have I explicitly taught the standard(s) addressed in the tasks?
- Do the tasks allow for students to show their understanding of the skills embedded within the standard(s)?
- Are the tasks clearly laid out and sequenced for student learning?
Embedded Content
Especially when it comes to disciplinary literacy, students should be completing tasks that are embedded in the content that they are learning. This allows students to build background knowledge and advance their understanding of key concepts across disciplines. Here are some questions centered around embedded content to consider:
- Do the tasks meet the demands of the standards taught?
- Do the tasks integrate other content areas?
- Do the tasks build on students’ background knowledge?
- Do the tasks advance students’ understanding of key concepts across disciplines?
Student Voice and Choice
When designing choice boards, ensure they are set up for self-directed learning. For example, there could be multiple tasks that address the same standard(s) so that students have the opportunity to self-select the tasks that are most engaging to them. Also, to give students a voice in their learning, be sure to provide choices that allow for multiple means of demonstrating learning. Choice boards can also include student-generated tasks as long as they understand what the intended outcome needs to include, which can be provided through a checklist or rubric. Consider these questions centered around student voice and choice:
- Do the tasks meet the demands of the standards taught?
- Do the tasks allow for student choice?
- Are the tasks based on students’ interests?
- Are there multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning of the content taught?
Authentic Tasks for Authentic Assessment
Any time we can help students make connections between their new knowledge and the world around them and/or apply their learning, it helps them understand the “why” behind their learning and better retain content. Choice boards provide just the avenue for that when we provide students with tasks that are authentic and relevant. For example, asking students to read like a historian or write like an investigative reporter would be considered authentic. Consider these questions when designing authentic tasks:
- Do the tasks meet the demands of the standards taught?
- Do the tasks provide rich opportunities for students to engage in meaningful learning opportunities?
- Will the tasks allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter?
- Do the tasks allow students to connect with the world around them in a meaningful way?
Finding open education resources and digital text that educators can link to and/or embed within their choice boards can hold teachers back from integrating choice boards into their curriculum. Don’t let it! Here are a few K-12 resources to get your creative juices flowing when designing meaningful standards-aligned choice boards:
Choice boards are very helpful for determining instruction.
The idea behind a choice board is good. However, when it states that it needs “Grade Level Standards Alignment”, what is the recommendation for the students who are in a regular education class and are significantly below grade level?
Choice boards are a good way to engage and motivate students.
Choice boards provide a unique way to engage students in learning.
Choice boards provide the students a voice in how they want to learn.
Choice boards can clearly communicate what you want students to learn and can provide cross-curricular learning.
Choice Boards are a good way to engage students and give them some control over how they learn.
Choice boards allow the student to pick their strengths and gain confidence.
Choice boards are a tool to motivate student and obtain information about learning outcomes.
Choice boards help the students to make the connections about what they’ve just learned to help them see how it will connect to everyday life.
Choice boards help to show the why of what they are learning.
Choice boards can provide tasks embedded in content across disciplines so that students can see the connection between subjects rather than in isolation.
The tasks in a choice board allow students to show what they have learned in various ways. Choice boards also provide students with tasks that are authentic, relevant, and meaningful to them.
Choice boards are a great way for students to show they have learned a standard in different ways. It allows for reaching students with different learning styles. Having access to different materials and online sites are very important.
Choice boards are a great way to inspire enthusiasm for any subject matter. It provides a path to make the subject relevant for the student which can lead to success in understanding.
When we shifted to online PE, the choice board was a game changer. Our students really seemed to enjoy the variety of activities.
Choice boards allows for reaching students with different learning styles. Every student can feel successful if they are able to choose how they can show what they learned.
Choice boards are a way to get students excited about what they are learning.
Choice Boards are a good way to engage students and provide students with tasks that are authentic and relevant. Also, choice boards give students some control over how they learn.
Choice boards are a solid way of allowing students to have a voice over their learning. They also allow for consistent feedback from teachers to ensure that students are staying on the correct (and desired) path towards success.
Choice Boards are a good way to engage students and provide students with authentic tasks. Choice boards also give students more control over how they learn.
Choice boards give all students a way to control over how they learn.
Choice boards are the key to engagingly implementing differentiated instruction.
I love the students being actively engaged in their learning!
Choice boards give children the power and ability to control their learning by drawing on their strengths.
Choice boards allow for student autonomy and for students to have a hand in selecting something that is personally connected to them.
Choice boards in the Library are a great way to not only allow students to connect with their interests, it also can be used to drive collection development to support those interests.
These appear to be an effective tool for instruction.
Choice boards provide students the opportunity to make their own choices while helping to increase motivation and meaningful learning at the same time.
Standards driven choice boards are an excellent way to give students choice and voice in how they want to approach learning.
Choice boards are a nice option for student motivation, engagement, and build self-awareness for social-emotional learning.